Reconceptualizing Musical Temporality: The Infinite Sound and Perpetual Motion in Ligeti’s Continuum

Abstract

Through making a major contribution to the evolution in contemporary music, György Ligeti has become recognized as one of the most innovative composers of the twentieth century. Ligeti, whose work is renowned for his uncompromising examination of new textures and sound forms, became accomplished at pushing the boundaries of traditional composition through the inclusion of techniques such as micropolyphony and structured rhythms that made music more intricate. Ligeti explored dense layers of sound in his songs, which culminated in works of music that comes extremely close to being a tactile listening experience. Throughout the time that Ligeti looked for fresh sources of inspiration and unconventional timbres, he contributed to the discovery of the harpsichord during this time. Composing works such as “Continuum,” in which the harpsichord is used to generate the sensation of continuous motion and musical infinity, he was fascinated by the instrument’s capacity to produce a variety of sound colors via clear and repetitive attacking techniques. Due to this, Ligeti managed to not only revive interests in the harpsichord in modern music but also showcase how a standard instrument can be converted into a vehicle to express the avant-garde in the realm of music.

Keywords

• Ligeti
• Continuum
• harpsichord
• sound colors
• modern performance
• analysis